FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER

MAY/JUNE 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3

Dear Friends, events occurred in his or her childhood, and is motivated to When the FMS Foundation was founded in 1992, we recall such events, childhood photos constitute a source of were confident that the positions the Foundation espoused detailed and vivid perceptual images that may be combined were those of the scientific mainstream. Unfortunately, the with products of imagination to yield compelling prevailing cultural climate supported extreme hostility to pseudomemories.” The effect of photos and false memories the FMSF. In retrospect, it is seems ludicrous that so many in their study was a dramatic 67 percent. (See p. 2) professionals were afraid to support the FMSF publicly and The state of New Hampshire has passed an informed that recovered-memory proponents claimed that the FMSF consent bill with the following language (See p. 6) was anti-establishment. This is what we said in 1992: “Clients have the right to documented informed consent: To be fully informed of the risks and benefits of alternative “Some memories are true, some are a mixture of fact and treatments and the risks and benefits of no treatment. When fiction, and some are false, whether those memories are con- obtaining informed consent for treatment for which safety tinuous or remembered after a time of being forgotten.” and effectiveness have not been established, therapists inform Time has proved us correct. Month after month we have their clients of this and of the voluntary nature of their par- reported on scholarly works and events that provided addi- ticipation.” tional scientific evidence about memory and the dangers of This month, more recovered memory therapists have therapies that focus on excavating “buried memories.” The been held accountable for their actions. Attorney Michael evidence keeps coming. Shinn describes a truly bizarre case on page 8. In that regard, we are extremely pleased that Elizabeth There is good news from Massachusetts. Gerald Loftus has been elected to the National Academy of Amirault should finally be released from jail on April 30. Sciences, one of the highest honors that can be given to an After keeping him incarcerated as long as she could without U.S. scientist. Loftus is a highly visible proponent of posi- revealing the fundamental weaknesses of the State’s case, tions held by the Foundation and, obviously, highly respect- the district attorney said: “The Commonwealth does not ed. The FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board believe that it could garner evidence to meet its burden of now lists a total of seven members of the NAS and IOM proof required under the statute that Mr. Amirault would (Institute of Medicine): Aaron T. Beck, Lila Gleitman, likely reoffend.” Ernest Hilgard, Philip S. Holzman, Elizabeth Loftus, Paul Of course, there will continue to be setbacks, but much McHugh and Ulric Neisser (www.nationalacademies.org). has been accomplished. Thank you to all of the courageous All but one of these distinguished scientists were on the families and professionals whose willingness to be public founding FMSF Advisory Board of just 15 members. helped accomplish so many changes. This month, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision eliminating the use of hearsay evi- Pamela dence, a practice that has plagued sex abuse trials. (See p. 6) In this issue... Justice Antonin Scalia, who wrote the opinion, stated: Mak...... 3 “Dispensing with confrontation because testimony is obvi- Legal Corner ...... 6 ously reliable is akin to dispensing with jury trial because a Barden ...... 6 defendant is obviously guilty.” Shinn ...... 8 Pendergrast...... 10 In the research realm, Stephen Lindsay and colleagues From Our Readers...... 12 hypothesized that “if a person believes that certain kinds of Bulletin Board ...... 14

1955 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-5766, 215-940-1040, Fax 215-940-1042, www.FMSFonline.org Picture This through an interaction between things Aaron Beck Receives 2004 Lindsay, D.S., Hagen, L, Read, J.D., Wade, that really have happened to us in the Grawemeyer Award K.A. & Garry, M. (2004). True past and our current expectations and In December 2003, Aaron T. Beck, photographs and false memories. [1] beliefs.” M.D., was awarded the Grawemeyer Psychological Science 15 (3). pp. 149-154. 1. (2004, April 8). So it’s lies, damned lies and Award in psychology for the Year Many FMSF families are aware memories. South Wales Evening Post. p. 15. 2004. The honor includes $200,000 that trauma-memory-oriented thera- Elizabeth Loftus Elected to that Dr. Beck plans to use to help fund pists often ask patients to bring family National Academy of Sciences pioneering research on cognitive thera- photographs to help recover memories py for schizophrenia. of abuse. Lindsay et al. hypothesized On April 20, 2004, the National Dr. Beck, FMSF Advisor, is com- that “if a person believes that certain Academy of Sciences (NAS) monly referred to as the “Father of kinds of events occurred in his or her announced the names of newly elected Cognitive Therapy.” His work has had childhood, and is motivated to recall members. We are pleased to report that worldwide impact on the practice of such events, childhood photos consti- FMSF Advisory Board member psychotherapy. He is Professor tute a source of detailed and vivid per- Elizabeth F. Loftus, Ph.D., Distin- Emeritus of Psychiatry at the ceptual images that may be combined guished Professor, Department of University of Pennsylvania School of with products of imagination to yield Psychology and Social Behavior and Medicine and is the founder and presi- compelling pseudomemories.” Department of Criminology, Law, and dent of the Beck Institute for Cognitive The researchers asked 45 under- Society, University of California, Therapy and Research. graduates to try to remember three Irvine, has been honored with mem- Among his awards are those from school-related childhood events. Par- bership. the American Psychological ents of the subjects gave the re- The NAS was established in 1863 Association, the American Psychiatric searchers two true events. The by an act of congress that was signed Association, and the 2001 Heinz researchers created a story about put- by Abraham Lincoln. The Academy Award for the Human Condition. In ting Slime in the teacher’s desk drawer acts as an official advisor to the feder- 2003, the Institute of Medicine award- but told the students that their parents al government in matters of science or ed him the Sarnat Prize. told them about the Slime (untrue). technology. Election to membership in Dr. Beck is also known for his Half of the subjects were also given the Academy is considered one of the warmth and humor. Psychologist Rob photographs of their school classes. highest honors that can be given to a DeRubeis recently commented about The undergraduates were told to U.S. scientist or engineer. There are him: “When I sit with him, if I think take some time to think about the currently 1,949 active members in the about it, I know I’m sitting with per- events and provide more information Academy, 56 of whom are in the sec- haps the most influential psychiatrist by imagining themselves as children. tion of psychology and lingistics. of his time, if not ever. And at the same Asubstantial number of under- The FMSF Scientific and time, I’m aware that he is as plain-spo- graduates in both groups developed Professional Advisory Board now lists ken and down-to-earth as anybody I false memories. However, the rate of a total of seven members of the NAS know.” false-memory reports was twice as and IOM (Institute of Medicine): Aaron T. Beck, Lila Gleitman, Ernest Rob DeRubeis, Ph.D. (2004). Beck in Action. high in the group that was shown the APS Observer 17 (3), pp. 7-8. Hilgard, Philip S. Holzman, Elizabeth photos. The effect was dramatic: 67 Winston, S. (2004, January 16). Aaron Beck, percent of the students who received Loftus, Paul McHugh and Ulric MD, Received awards from the Institute of the photos developed false memories. Neisser. Medicine and the University of Louisville. According to Lindsay, “memories All but one of these distinguished Press release from University of Pennsylvania scientists were on the founding FMSF Health Systems Office of Public Affairs. aren’t things that are stored somewhere in your head. Memories are experi- Advisory Board of just 15 members. ences that we can have that arise My point is that our cultural assump- tions have shifted. The claim of victim- special thanks FMSF Advisor David Dinges, Ph.D., hood is no longer enough to make lis- We extend a very special “Thank you” to will receive the “Decade of Behavior all of the people who help prepare the Research Award for 2004” on May 10, teners suspend their critical faculties, FMSF Newsletter. Editorial Support: 2004 from the Federation of Behavioral, even when made by a noted feminist. Janet Fetkewicz, Howard Fishman, Peter Wendy McElroy (2004, March, 17). Freyd, Members of the FMSF Scientific Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, and the Decade of Behavior. Dinges will Feminist confession reveals cultural shift. Advisory Board and Members who wish www.ifeminists.net/introduction/ to remain anonymous. Letters and infor- then give a Congressional briefing about editorials/2004/0317.html mation: Our Readers. his work on sleep deprivation.

2 FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 Repressed Memory Therapy Fiasco (Werkgroep Fictieve Herinneringen - A string of official reports in the Netherlands: A Brief History WFH) following the initiative of the In 1997, the Ministry of Justice Adriaan J.W. Mak American-based False Memory commissioned the Netherlands Canadian Contact for Victims of Syndrome Foundation. [3] Institute for the Study of Criminality Psychotherapeutic Malpractice The new Werkgroep benefited and Law Enforcement (NISCALE) to Background from the experience of the FMSF and study the matter. Chaired by Professor During the 1980s, many in the its documentation of the problem in Peter van Koppen, this advisory body Netherlands expressed legitimate con- America. Although not many scholarly published a report that fully con- cerns over the problem of childhood articles critical of recovered memory demned repressed / recovered memory sexual abuse. At the same time, some therapy had been published in the therapy: “Recovered crimes: Sexual psychotherapists started looking in Netherlands[4], the Werkgroep was able abuse reported to the police after ther- new directions to help adult clients and to produce a bibliography and a collec- apy – Advice to the Minister of were influenced by such books as tion of articles. These were used to Justice.”[7] Although the Ministry took Florence Rush’s The Best Kept Secret inform people about the dangers of the note of the report, it did not act on it for (1980) and Alice Miller’s For Your therapeutic practice that was causing several years. Own Good (1983) and Thou Shalt Not vulnerable people to believe that a In 1999, in response to van Be Aware (1984). wide variety of adult problems are the Koppen’s report, the Minister of In response to the influence of result of childhood trauma of which Justice asked the College of Attorneys- women’s groups, the government they had no memory. General (the chief legal officers in began to examine the problem of vio- Working toward a solution each of the sixteen arrondissements) to lence against women and children. The The WFH set the following goals: create a team of top experts drawn Ministry of Social Concerns commis- to provide information for the accused, from a variety of fields to deal with the sioned feminist Nel Draijer to write the accusers, and therapists; to alert matter of false sexual abuse reports two reports, one of which was titled “A those involved in law enforcement and made to the police. The team was Gap in My Memory: The SexualAbuse the judiciary; and to advise the affect- called: Landelijke Expertisegroep [1] of Girls by Relatives.” Draijer’s doc- ed families on how to deal with the Bijzondere Zedenzaken (National uments indicated that far more women problem. As in the United States, this Expert Group on Unusual Sexual were incest victims than had been pre- was done through newsletters, tele- Crimes) and included experienced viously thought, and “A Gap in My phone contact, regional and national police investigators, jurists, forensic Memory” came to dominate public meetings, and letter writing. experts, research psychologists, and debate and guide government policy In May 1994, the Ministry of sexologists, all of whom had dealt with [2] for over a decade. Scores of thera- Justice published a report on Satanic sexual offenders.[8] They carefully pists became involved in searching for Ritual Abuse allegations[5] concluding examined many cases of abuse, both hidden incest memories in clients, and that after thoroughly investigating dubious and clear, screening out those soon some of these clients brought many reports brought by victims alleg- that would not merit prosecution. In criminal charges against purported ing such abuse, the Ministry had been 2001, this group’s report also fully molesters. unable to find any verification for such condemned suggestive memory [9] By mid-1994 a number of older crimes.[6] retrieval practices. parents falsely accused of incest had By the end of 1994, the WFH In April 2000, the National joined Ouders voor Kinderen (Parents reached the stage that it could provide Ombudsman, responding to requests for Children). This Dutch organization sound information to remind govern- from the Werkgroep and its falsely had been started by younger parents, ment ministries, elected officials, the accused parents, produced a report many involved in custody disputes. judiciary, and mental health organiza- detailing the history of the problem The older parents soon realized that the tions about their responsibilities in the and its international scope. The circumstances surrounding their false matter. The Werkgroep made a great Ombudsman’s report criticized the accusations differed substantially from effort to educate the media and to seek Ministry of Health’s reluctance to the younger parents. They formed a support from academics whose areas intervene and the refusal of the mental sub-group calling themselves the of research involved therapy, memory, health professions to act on the par- Working Group on Untrue Incest and the law. Although progress was ents’ complaints.[10] Memories, and a year later they agonizingly slow, the WFH activities In July 2000, the Ministry of became independent with the name met with success. Health asked its professional advisory Working Group on Fictive Memories council (Gezondheidsraad) to tackle

FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 3 the problem. In August, this body of false memories of sexual abuse in their setback to the families in the WFH, eminent scientists appointed a com- clients. although it turned out to result in much mission that included both recovered- These guidelines will also be bind- publicity for them. The program broke memory proponents Nel Draijer and ing on unregulated alternative practi- all codes of journalistic ethics when it Otto van der Hart and also their detrac- tioners. photographed actual places and tors, memory researcher Willem Albert On February 26, 2004, The showed alleged incest survivors telling Wagenaar and research psychologist Ministry of Justice/College of gruesome stories of forced abortions. Harald Merckelbach. Although the Attorneys-General team released its The parents, who had not been warned, Werkgroep Fictieve Herinneringen second and even more detailed report saw themselves accused and practical- questioned the inclusion of Draijer and about the genesis of false sexual abuse ly identified by daughters spinning van der Hart, the chair explained that if allegations.[11] The report notes that the wild tales confabulated during sugges- they were left out, large numbers of following factors may contribute to tive therapy.[15] clinicians would reject the findings of false allegations: a) personal problems In reply to a Werkgroep complaint, the committee. of the complainant, b) divorce or sepa- the TV network responded with “Our At long last the Netherlands ration, c) family conflicts, and d) docu-drama takes place on a loftier Health Council “Gezondheidsraad”, credulity. The experts also found the level than a mere search for Truth or released its 91-page report on January following factors to be crucial: a) sus- Falsehood . . . . moreover, Perps are 2004. It answered many of the con- picions of abuse leading to a false always in denial.” A spokeswoman for cerns of the falsely accused parents belief that abuse had happened, b) a government-subsidized sexual abuse and also reflected a few of the opinions direct influencing by third parties, c) center who was called in by the net- held by the recovered memory advo- dream interpretation, d) films or books work to represent professional exper- cates on the committee. An executive about sexual abuse, and d) therapy and tise remarked: “Truth has nothing to do summary of the report called Dubious counselling.[12] The report strongly with it; it is all about pain.” Subsequent Memories (in English) can be read on criticized the role played by qualified legal action forced the network to http://www.gr.nl/adviezen.php?ID=88 and regulated psychotherapists, as well admit to serious error and pay restitu- 8. The full report is called Omstreden as by alternative practitioners, because tion. The pregnancies and abortions Herinneringen [Dubious Memories], they had lent credence to the notion were shown to be fictional.[16] Gezondheidsraad (Health Council of that a client’s symptoms were sequelae In August 2001, the influence of the Netherlands), 27 January 2004. of hitherto unremembered childhood Nel Draijer’s work, which had already Among its many points, the report trauma. begun to wane, received a major blow noted that many clinicians did not Other factors that led to change when researcher Han Israels[17] re- seem to be aware of major recent sci- In addition to the tremendous analysed the findings of her 1988 entific research findings in the area of effort of parents and help from con- report and found that many statistics memory. cerned professionals, other factors were faulty. Major recommendations and find- contributed to raising awareness about The Health Ministry’s most recent ings of the Health Council: false memories in the Netherlands. action a) a broad recognition that memo- Among these are memory researcher It may have been mere coinci- ries recovered during suggestive thera- Elizabeth Loftus’s lecture visits to the dence, but on March 11, 2004, the py may be false, harm patients and Netherlands and the 1996 Dutch trans- Netherlands Minister of Health those who are accused; lation/publication of The Myth of announced drastic cutbacks in govern- b) therapists are advised not to Repressed Memory by Loftus and ment medical insurance funding for diagnose past trauma in a client on the Ketcham.[13] This was quickly fol- talk psychotherapies. Although the basis of a clinical pattern; lowed by Recovered Memories and Werkgroep Fictieve Herinneringen had c) therapists appearing as expert Other Misconceptions by Dutch schol- expressed concern only about recov- witnesses in civil and criminal cases ars Hans Crombag and Harald ered-memory therapy, far more had must refrain from making judgements Merckelbach.[14] This book was written gone wrong in the mental health indus- about the reliability of a patient’s for non-professionals so that journal- try. Based on research by the National /client’s testimony; ists, jurists, and elected officials would Health Council, the minister had been d) the relevant regulated psy- understand the issues. told in 2001 that not only were talking chotherapeutic professional organiza- In June 2000, the television docu- cures not effective but also that the tions have to set guidelines for safe mentary “Hidden mothers—incest longer the period of therapy, the less practice to avoid the generation of pregnancies” seemed to be a terrible effective it became in relation to

4 FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 money spent. tives]. Amsterdam: Socialistische Uitgeverij / ritual abuse, and c) allegations based on supposedly Amsterdam. Draijer used the reports as the basis for repressed/recovered and often decades-old memories The Netherlands has generous her 1990 doctoral thesis. She is a traumatologist and of abuse that only surfaced after suggestive therapy. health and social service provisions, a proponent of repressed/recovered memories. In the end, two-thirds of the cases were dismissed. In nine cases the experts deemed the complaint not but when the Medicare bill reached 3. The word “false” (in Dutch “vals”) was avoided credible. In fifteen cases the experts found that the because in Dutch it also may mean nasty, vicious, 9.75 percent of the Gross National cases had been improperly investigated. Only in two bogus, or forged. The word “incest” also was “always remembered” cases, did the experts find Product, the government assessed dropped because people objected to receiving mail solid evidence to support the allegations. The report where it could cut costs. Hence, in with that word on the envelope. criticized the methods of investigation, the leading December 2003, the ministry 4. Some academic professionals, notably memory questioning used by some police investigators and announced that it planned to cut down specialist Prof. Dr. Willem Albert Wagenaar of prosecutors, and the biased attitudes of victim-assis- Leiden University, were well aware of what had tants. As a result, the College of Attorneys-General paying for psychotherapy from 90 ses- been brewing in the U.S. They realized that many decided to upgrade the training of such officers. sions to 30. This now has been further therapists in the Netherlands had already been 10. Rapport 2000/105, Nationale Ombudsman. reduced to 25, but exceptions can be infected by the notions of North American gurus teaching repressed memory, multiple personality, 11. Landelijke Expertisegroep Bijzondere made for the seriously mentally ill. and even ritual abuse theories. Zedenzaken (National Expert Group on Unusual The announcement is causing a Sexual Crimes) (2003, November). De ontstaans- 5. Hulsenbek, J.A. (1994). Rapport werkgroep rit- geschiedenis ontrafeld: Onderzoeksverslag over de minor revolt in the psychotherapy ueel misbruik [Report of the Working group on ritual periode 2001-2002 [The Genesis [of false sexual industry in the Netherlands, although it abuse]. The Hague: Ministry of Justice. allegations] Unraveled: Investigation report over the has nobody to blame but itself. It has 6. Nevertheless the Netherlands and Flemish Society period from 2001-2002]. Unfortunately, no English- language version is available. refused to regulate itself and has for the Study of Dissociative Disorders (Nederlandse en Vlaamse Vereniging ter bestudering van The team scrutinized 30 unusual cases. Ten of these allowed all kinds of treatments to go Dissociatieve Stoornissen), the organization respon- cases involved allegedly repressed memories recov- under the name of therapy. It aban- sible for the spread of MPD diagnoses, continued ered in therapy. Some of these included memories of pushing for further investigation as late as 1998. doned the scientific scrutiny of absurd sexual abuse prior to age 3 years and memories of 7. The report is available in English: Recovered ritual abuse. In one case the complainant claimed alternative therapies and became rife crimes: Sexual abuse reported to the police after always to have remembered the ritual abuse. In with outlandish, guru-driven prac- therapy – Advice to the Minister of Justice. Prof. Dr seven cases the complainants were not sure whether Peter van Koppen, 1997. the abuse memories had been “recovered” or had tices, most of which were absolutely always been remembered. Six of the cases originated useless talking cures and some of Coincidentally, at the same time as Van Koppen’s from caregivers who noticed symptoms in a child which were even dangerous, much of it report appeared, the WFH published Een kleine fout that made them suspect that the child had been [A minor slip-up], a brochure documenting the prob- abused. The remaining six cases were highly com- paid for with taxpayers’ money. lem of incest delusions resulting from psychothera- plex. Thanks to the work of a few vocal peutic malpractice. It also described what the WFH had done since 1994 to expose the problem. The title 12. The report devotes a special chapter to these last people in the Werkgroep Fictieve was taken from an article by two leaders in the two factors (therapy and counselling) because in 23 Herinneringen and the university recovered-memory movement, therapists Onno van out of the 30 cases, the accusers had been in therapy or counselling, in 6 of these cases even switching researchers such as Willem Albert der Hart and Kees van der Velden, who stated in a journal for therapists: from one therapist or counsellor to yet another many Wagenaar, Peter van Koppen, Harald times. “When therapists doubt the truthfulness of a Merckelbach, and Hans Crombag, the patient’s reporting of sexual abuse and maltreatment, 13. Loftus, E., and Ketcham, K. (1996). Graven in ministry has finally seen the light. it is wiser to trust the patient than not to do so. het geheugen, de mythe van de verdrongen herinner- in Dutch translation of The Myth of Repressed These vocal people were willing to Should it turn out that in reality the patient never was abused or maltreated, then the therapist has only Memory, (1994). point out the farce of repressed /recov- made a minor slip-up by trusting her.” Prof. Dr. 14. Crombag, H.F.M., and Merckelbach, H. (1996). ered memory therapy and the fact that Onno van der Hart, University of Utrecht, and Kees Hervonden herinneringen en andere misverstanden millions of precious health expendi- van der Velden, psychotherapist, in Dth, tijdschrift [Recovered memories and other misconceptions]. voor Directive therapie [Journal for Directive Amsterdam, Contact. tures had been spent on therapy that Therapy], 2-5-1995. 15. During one of my visits to the Netherlands, I was useless. 8. Landelijke Expertisegroep Bijzondere Zedenzaken spent a day with one of the families whose disturbed (I am greatly indebted to Mr. Jan (National Expert Group on Unusual Sexual Crimes) daughter had appeared on the TV series. Having lis- Buijs of the WFH for reviewing this included people with solid insight into the problem tened to many accounts of falsely accused parents of memory distortion such as psychotherapist, foren- over the years, I again became aware of the enor- article and was helped by much of the sic psychologist and sexologist Prof. Dr. R.A.R mous, irreparable damage that misguided talking information on the WFH’s website: Bullens of the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam; foren- therapy can do to a daughter sorely in need of proper sic psychologist, Prof. Dr. P.J. van Koppen; and http://www.werkgroepwfh.nl/) evidence-based mental health care. The devastation, memory researcher and rector magnificus at Leiden which this monstrously sensational TV program had University Prof. Dr. W.A. Wagenaar. It produced its 1. Draijer, N. (1988). Een lege plek in mijn further added to the already deeply grieving, falsely first report called: De feiten beschouwd [Examining geheugen: Seksueel misbruik van meisjes door ver- accused, elderly parents, deserved to be met with the the facts] verslag van de Landelijke Expertisegroep wanten [A gap in my memory: The sexual abuse of strongest punishment the law has to offer. I do not Bijzondere Zedenzaken over de periode 1 oktober girls by relaives]. Den Haag: Ministerie van Sociale think that happened. 1999 - 31 december 2000 [Investigation report over Zaken en Werkgelegenheid. the period from 1 October 1999-31 December 2000]. 16. The network and its producer escaped facing 2. Draijer, N. (1990). Seksuele traumatisering in de prosecution for a similar, equally absurd 1992 docu- 9. This lengthy document, not available in English, jeugd: Lange termijn gevolgen van misbruik van drama involving a woman who had been talked into analysed 26 cases. These involved allegations of meisjes door verwanten [Sexual traumatizing during having MPD, allegedly the result of years of incest. remembered abuse a) prior to age 3 years, b) satanic youth: Long-term sequelae in girls abused by rela- Nevertheless this film was used for many years to

FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 5 train therapists creating more MPD cases. ( De Ontkenning [Denial]. LAVA Film Distribution & Sales.) 17. Hans Israels is a sociologist and Freud scholar specialising in the history of psychology and an expert in exposing scientific fraud. He analyzed the Crawford v. Washington statements from police in trials. Now findings of Draijer’s 1988 report and found that her figures did not quite add up. His book: Heilige No. 02-9410 Supreme Court of the United they must produce a witness. verontwaardiging: Een onderzoek naar de feministis- States, 204 U.S. LEXIS 1838; 72 che visie op incest, [Holy indignation: An investiga- U.S.L.W. 4229, March 8, 2004 Decided tion into the feminist vision of incest] created quite a Is Reason Returning to stir. Although many clinicians condemned his work, On March 8, 2004, the U.S. the Supreme Court? beliefs in repressed/recovered memories were now well on the way out. Those in government, although Supreme Court ruled, in a 9-0 decision, Some impressions upon reviewing silent on the issue, took note. that defendants have the right to cross- MICHAEL D. CRAWFORD, PETI- examine witnesses. The decision disal- TIONER v. WASHINGTON No. 02-9410, lows hearsay evidence that had SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED Safe and Effective Mental Health increasingly been allowed over the past STATES Treatment Bill Approved in quarter century. by R. Chris Barden, Ph.D., J.D. New Hampshire The Crawford decision abandons a The Constitution-Bill of Rights of On February 20, 2004, the New 1980 Supreme Court ruling, Ohio v. the United States is a sacred contract Hampshire Board of Mental Health Roberts, that allowed hearsay evidence binding together the lives, fortunes and Practice approved a new bill of rights if a judge found it trustworthy. honor of the citizens of the United for mental health patients. Michael Crawford was convicted States of America. The Framers incor- The law states that patients have of assault in 1999 because he stabbed a porated centuries of wisdom by codify- the right not only to information about man he thought had tried to rape his ing—in clear language—fundamental a therapist’s qualifications, fees, diag- wife. Crawford claimed self-defense, rights that could not be usurped by the noses, treatment options, confidentiali- stating that the victim was going for a Government. The Supreme Court was ty and complaint procedures but also to weapon when he was stabbed. viewed as the protector of those funda- “informed consent” and “effective Crawford’s wife did not testify in the mental—clearly documented—liber- treatment.” trial, but the judge said that the prose- ties. Consumer advocate Charles E. cution could use her taped statement in In contrast, for the past several Proulx, Jr. and psychologist John which she said there was no weapon. decades too many of the U.S. Supreme Brown, Ph.D., were the forces pushing The Washington Court of Appeals Court’s decisions have seemed little for the new language and the passage reversed the conviction stating that the more than fanciful constructions of of this bill. wife’s statement was not reliable. Then “politically correct” notions. From The new standard states: Washington Supreme Court reinstated “penumbras” to “particularized guar- “Clients have the right to document- the conviction concluding that the antees of trustworthiness” to other ed informed consent: To be fully wife’s statement was trustworthy. The forms of legislating from the bench, the informed of the risks and benefits of U.S. Supreme Court overturned the court has often departed from the orig- alternative treatments and the risks Washington Supreme Court decision inal intent of the Founding Fathers. and benefits of no treatment. When by deciding that the wife’s statement to The result has been a steady erosion in obtaining informed consent for treat- the police was not admissible because respect for the law and the Court. ment for which safety and effective- the defense could not cross-examine For example, the Sixth ness have not been established, thera- her. Amendment to the U.S. Constitution pists inform their clients of this and of Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the the voluntary nature of their partici- guarantees defendants in criminal trials pation.” opinion and stated, “Dispensing with the right to confront and cross-examine confrontation because testimony is accusers. That fundamental right was The text of the patient bill of rights obviously reliable is akin to dispensing abrogated by a series of unfortunate is on the Board of Mental Health with jury trial because a defendant is rulings from the U.S. Supreme Court Practice Web site: obviously guilty.” beginning with Ohio v. Roberts 448 www.state.nh.us/mhpb Some prosecutors are concerned U.S. 56 (1980). The Roberts ruling led Talbot, R. (2004, March 7). Innovative rights that Crawford will limit their ability to down a dark path to defendants facing bill OK’d for MH patients. Union Leader. try sensitive domestic abuse and child conviction from nothing more than abuse cases. For example, in some videotaped “victim statements” with- cases, prosecutors previously relied on out an opportunity for confrontation or

6 FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 cross-examination. of this lost protection on the family law memory therapists” coupled with In the recent and historic 9-0 deci- system. With the ease of prosecutions Daubert hearings exposing the irra- sion in Crawford v. Washington, the based upon nothing more than video- tionality of these and other psychobab- U.S. Supreme Court overturned Ohio taped “victim statements,” countless ble notions, added to the perception v. Roberts, thus returning the protec- parents across the U.S. (almost always that the legal and mental health sys- tion of the Sixth Amendment to the fathers) have been forced to “negoti- tems had gone badly off track. people. The Court’s decision in ate” away fundamental parental rights Definitive research on the suggestibili- Crawford is a stinging rebuke of the under the threat that the custodial par- ty of children’s memory was perhaps kind of run-a-way judicial “legislation” ent could easily “produce” allegations the final straw in helping the public, that has plagued America for decades. of some kind of abuse—especially legal profession and law enforcement In an intense stinging critique of for- with the aid of “therapists”—some communities realize that they had been mer decisions by the Court, Justice being hired for just such a purpose. The deceived by junk science, psychobab- Scalia wrote, “Dispensing with con- Crawford decision is likely to impede ble theories of “victimhood”. frontation because testimony is obvi- the spread of such continuing corrup- The essential task of catching and ously reliable is akin to dispensing tion in the family law system. convicting criminals will continue after with jury trial because a defendant is The rise of pernicious “politically the Crawford decision—with the reli- obviously guilty . . . . this is not what correct” legal and psychobabble theo- able scientific methods required by the Sixth Amendment prescribes.” He ries in the 1960s and 1970s left Daubert-Kumho and the confrontation continued “the Roberts test allows a America with a legal system increas- protections required by the Sixth jury to hear evidence, untested by the ingly contaminated by pseudoscience. Amendment. The dedicated men and adversary process, based on a mere For example, in this Alice in women who work hard to make our judicial determination of reliability. It Wonderland world children could be society safe may now pursue their thus replaces the constitutionally pre- abusively and repeatedly mis-inter- important work using more rational scribed method of assessing reliability viewed by “therapists” or investiga- and reliable methods and procedures. with a wholly foreign one.” tors—using threats, bribes, and lies— Dedicated law enforcement profession- The Crawford decision is also a until a “story” was in place. Then a als should be able to rely upon legal not-so-subtle admission that many, videotape of the child “performing” the and scientific processes that are fair many citizens may well have been “story” could be played to a jury with and reliable—the Crawford decision is improperly imprisoned using methods no opportunity for cross-examination. a major step in that direction. and procedures that were clearly How many citizens were convicted Finally, it is indeed heartening that unconstitutional. How such a travesty using such barbaric—clearly unconsti- the Crawford decision relies upon of justice survived for decades is an tutional—methods? Even more sinister clear, rational historical evidence of the excellent—and well-documented— (and bizarre) were criminal prosecu- intent of the Founding Fathers. This is example of how unrestrained political tions based upon nothing more than the a breath of fresh air and stability from ideology and junk social science have hypnotically “recovered memories” of a Court that has shown a predilection damaged America’s legal system. In psychotherapy patients. to wander into international law and looking back on the last 24 years, The tide began to turn towards psychobabble theories in support of judges and prosecutors must now rationality in the 1990s. With a series some of its opinions. Hopefully, the answer the question of how they failed of historic decisions including Daubert Crawford decision bodes well for our to enforce one of the most fundamental and Kumho, the Court called for trial hopes that the Supreme Court will con- of all American rights—the right to judges to carefully review and rein in tinue to enforce and protect the pre- confront and cross examine one’s pseudoscience. This led to the end of cious Constitution that binds us togeth- accusers. In considering how many “expert” testimony regarding er as a nation. people in America are convicted and “repressed memories” and various imprisoned on the testimony of a single “abuse syndromes.” The scientific- The National Association for Consumer witness one comes to realize the essen- forensic use of DNA evidence proved Protection in Mental Health Practices and tial nature of the right to confrontation conclusively that the criminal justice the Commission for Scientific Medicine and cross-examination. How could the system, once believed to be highly reli- and Mental Health have announced they legal system “lose” this important right able in avoiding convictions of the are merging to form a stronger internation- for 24 years? innocent, was in fact, convicting many al force against mental health quackery. Even more harmful and wide- innocent citizens. A wave of highly (Barden, C and Lilienfeld, S., April 23, 2004.) spread has been the devastating effect successful lawsuits against “recovered Call 716-636-1425 x 218 for information.

FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 7 Update of Amirault Case Psychologist, Spiritual Counselor risk and indemnity agreement” which and “Soul Surgeon” Settle Case attempted to exonerate the pastor from Gerald Amirault is expected to be with Former Patient all legal liability before his counseling released at the end of April. Amirault Lackey v. DePaoli, Earl and NW Family had even begun. When she entered this was convicted of molesting children at Ministries, Case No 0201-00733 filed program, Ms. Lackey had no memo- the family-run Fells Acres day care Feb., 2002 and Lackey v. Baker and ries whatsoever of being physically or center in 1986. Although he was grant- Lacey. Case No. 0303-03121, filed Feb. sexually abused by anyone in her fam- ed parole last October, Middlesex, 2001 Circuit Ct. Multnomah, County, OR ily. She had no memory of participat- by Michael Shinn, Esq. Massachusetts District Attorney ing in any sex rituals as a child, or of had six months in A final settlement of the extraordi- being involved with Masons in any which to file an appeal. After keeping nary case of Diane Lackey v. Pastor way. Amirault incarcerated as long as she Peter DePaoli and Rhonda Earle, dba[1] During the ensuing four months, could without revealing the fundamen- Northwest Family Ministries, Pastor Diane dutifully attended Baker’s ses- tal weaknesses of the State’s case, on Clifford A. Baker and Deborah Lacey, sions, which failed in any way to April 21 she said: “The Common- dba Catalyst Connections, Inc, defen- address what was later diagnosed as wealth does not believe that it could dants has been reached. This case Bipolar Disorder. This manifested garner evidence to meet its burden of shares similarities with many other itself with delusions and hallucinations proof required under the statute that false memory syndrome cases reported about demons and little inner voices. Mr. Amirault would likely re-offend.” in the FMSF newsletter over the years. (Delusions are a key characteristic of In July 2001, the state Board of However, it features what may be a several mental disorders). It never Pardons had recommended that unique distinction: the therapists dawned on Pastor Baker that these Amirault’s sentence be commuted, but asserted that Dr. Joseph Mengele, the might be symptoms of a mental illness. this was rejected by then-acting Gov. notorious medical “experimenter” at Instead, he introduced Diane to Deb Jane Swift. Gerald’s sister, Cheryl Auschwitz, is the founder of Multiple Lacey who has a doctorate in divinity. Amirault LeFave, and his late mother, Personality Disorder in America, and She has assigned herself the title of Violet Amirault were released in 1995. that he helped develop satanic rituals “Soul Surgeon” and promotes herself The Amirault case has become one for the Masonic Temple which Masons as an expert on MPD. of the most disputed child-molestation use to this day. The Soul Surgeon worked with cases in the country. The Amiraults Diane Lackey is a dynamic, attrac- Diane Lackey in three lengthy ses- always denied the accusations, insist- tive mother and successful business- sions. Her “therapy” required Diane to ing that they were victims of the day woman. She also has a personal histo- describe and then to renounce every care sex abuse hysteria that swept the ry which included drug abuse and sexual act that she had ever committed. country in the 1980s. The accusers bisexual relationships. In June of 2001, She was compelled to do this in the have not wavered in their belief that she had a traumatic breakup with her presence of Lacey, Baker, and a they were abused. In recent years, life partner of three years. This sent her “prayer intercessor.” She found this however, a compelling body of scien- into a deep depression. She had a delu- humiliating and agonizing. Lacey did tific evidence has shown that the inter- sional episode in which she believed additional work with Diane’s demons. views of the children were highly sug- she was possessed by demons. Pastor Baker later testified that he wit- gestive and their stories not reliable. She began reading the Bible and nessed Diane levitating a foot above According to Coakley, Amirault rendering literal interpretations of it. the floor and spinning around so furi- (50) will be on parole until November She went to the New Song Church for ously that they had to pull her back 2023. He will be required to register as “deliverance.” There she met Pastor into her chair to prevent her from hit- a sex offender, submit to drug testing, Cliff Baker who signed her up for his ting her head on the wall. and is banned from being in contact “prayer ministry” program. Participa- Ms. Lacey inquired about Diane’s with children under the age of 18. Any tion in this program required her to heritage. She wanted to know if any- violation could send him back to sign a legal “release, assumption of the one in her family had been a member prison under state law. of the Masons, Mormons, Oddfellows, It is not enough to demand evidence Ellement, J. (2004, April 22). Amirault will soon be and answers from accusers. It is neces- Elks, Moose or Eagles lodges, Job’s a free man: Convicted molester heads home next Daughters and the Rainbow or Order week. Boston Globe. sary to extend justice to those who are Maguire, K. (2004, April 21). Mass. Day-care rapist and have been wrongfully accused. of Demolay. She elicited the fact that closer to parole. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Wendy McElroy (2004, March, 17). an uncle had been a member of the www.ifeminists.net/introduction/ Masons and declared that therein lay editorials/2004/0317.html

8 FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 the key to Diane’s problems. about their guilt was characteristic of plaintiff argued that a counselor was Presumably, membership in any of the Masons. She needed to trust her new like a primary care physician, with the other aforementioned organizations memories and could expect to retrieve responsibility not only to treat prob- would also have been inculpatory. more of them. lems, but also to recognize and diag- She then required Diane to read a To assist her in this adventure, nose problems that are beyond the “Prayer of Release for Freemasons and Baker brought her to Pastor Peter counselor’s ability to treat. Although Their Descendants” to Lacey, Baker, DePaoli (a licensed clinical psycholo- he was her pastor, he was also her pro- and the intercessor. This five page doc- gist) at Northwest Family Ministries. fessional counselor and provided ument included such passages as: “I During her first session there, Diane direct therapeutic services and renounce the oaths taken and the curs- was shown a videotape of Dr. Joseph arranged for additional psychological es involved in the First or Entered Mengele and the Auschwitz death care from others. As such, he was Apprentice degree, especially their camp. Questioned about this in deposi- bound by the responsibilities detailed effects on the throat and tongue. I tions, DePaoli claimed he knew little in the Pastoral Counselors’ Code of renounce the Hoodwink, the blindfold, about Mengele and just happened to Ethics. and its effect on emotions and eyes, show her the video because she had Among these were the duties to: including all confusion, fear of the some questions about Mengele. I •Evaluate the nature and potential dark, fear of the light and fear of sud- impeached DePaoli with a 45-minute causes of her problems; den noises…. I renounce the mixing tape recording of a speech he gave in •Engage in a “differential diagno- and mingling of truth and error, and the 1998 in which he told the International sis.” (Even though he was not a blasphemy of this degree of Masonry.” Conference of Pastoral Counselors that licensed clinical psychologist, due care When asked why Diane was his research had uncovered the fact in the setting should include a consid- forced to renounce Masonic activity of that Mengele was the “father of MPD eration of all potential causes rather which she had no memory or known in America,” (where he came after than limited ones.); history whatsoever, Baker and Lacey WWII and not to Argentina). DePaoli •Keep himself adequately testified that as a descendant of a convinced Diane Lackey that she was informed about available treatment; Mason, she was equally afflicted and possessed by a Mengele demon, •Provide the client with adequate needed this cleansing ceremony. They among many others. warnings about any significant hazards overlooked the fact that Diane was Throughout the course of the sum- or risks that accompanied certain adopted and that “Uncle Bob” was not mer of 2002, Diane was plagued with methodologies; even a blood relative. terrifying images of Joseph Mengele, •Refrain from reinforcing method- Under the tutelage of Baker and Masonic temple orgies, blood sacri- ologies and treatment which were Lacey, Diane began developing horri- fices, and demons of all varieties. known to be unscientific and lacked fying images of being subjected to When these images became so bizarre reliable independent corroboration. lurid sex orgies with Uncle Bob and that she realized they were not likely Plaintiff’s attorney: Michael R. his Masonic colleagues. Deb Lacey true, she informed Baker that she sus- Shinn of Portland, Portland, Oregon. persuaded Diane that she had been vic- pected they were false memories. She Defendants’ attorneys: Michael timized at the age of four, because that was considering suing DePaoli. In Hoffman, Paul Cooney, David Ryan of was the age she assigned to one of her response, Baker affirmed DePaoli’s Portland, Oregon. inner voices, Sarah. Diane confronted work and promptly terminated his 1. “dba” refers to “doing business as.” Uncle Bob about these activities, and counseling relationship with her. promised to expose him. He wisely When she came to my law office, I reported this to the local police and to referred her to competent mental [I]f your therapist suggests you might her father. Her father informed her by health professionals. After months of have a repressed memory, check the e-mail that Uncle Bob didn’t even join therapy and psychiatric medication, small print on the wall plaque; [he/she] the Masons until she was 13 and that she finally broke away from the demon may be a correspondence-course ther- there was no indication she was ever delusions and was able to revive her apist. Ditto for satanic abuse that is abused by anyone as an infant or child. nearly bankrupt business. sooooo Eighties!... Multiple personali- ties have been over-rated and past By now, Diane believed she was Early in the legal proceedings, lives are now the preserve of Woman's possessed by eleven alter personalities. Pastor Baker filed a motion to have the Day. Perplexed by her father’s e-mail, she case dismissed noting that he was a Diedre Macken, (2004, April 23). Off our inquired of Pastor Baker if these might “spiritual” counselor and that his First trolley in the psychic marketplace. be false memories. No, he said, lying Amendment rights protected him. The Australian Financial Times. p. 44.

FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 9 Recovering from Recovered Memories may be something you’ve buried that safe enough to confront these issues.” Mark Pendergrast is trying to come out.” She gave her a I’m brave enough to face anything Here is another installment from Mark book called and if I have to, Betty thought, but I just Pendergrast’s book proposal for Recovering asked her to read it. don’t believe this. Yet she read on, from Recovered Memories, continuing with a Betty protested that she loved her becoming absorbed in the book. It kept fictional case study from Chapter 1, “How parents. Sure, her father was too strict setting off alarm bells with virtually Could This Have Happened to Me?” about some things, and he had stopped every sentence. It was as if Ellen Bass Pendergrast has written this quite realistically hugging her when she turned into a and Laura Davis, the authors, knew her and objectively, so much so that those who are teenager, but that was all. He loved personally and were writing straight at “believers” in massive repression could proba- her. He really loved her. her. “Do you feel powerless, like a vic- bly see the story as supporting the idea that the Sheila smiled a tight, knowing tim?” Oh, yes, she did. “Do you feel father really was an abuser. The next install- ment (the end of the chapter) will put the story smile. “Oh, yes,” she said, her voice different from other people?” in context. turning hard. “I’m sure he loves you, Absolutely. She felt that everyone else ********** all right.” Then, leaning forward at college seemed so sure of them- Betty O’Connor came from a very earnestly, she looked right into Betty’s selves. She felt so out of place, so odd. close-knit, traditional Massachusetts frightened eyes, held her hand, and “Do you feel you have to be perfect?” Irish Catholic family. Her mother was spoke softly. “Betty, please read the Tell me about it! It seemed that noth- over-protective and fussed over her. first three chapters of this book, and ing she did could ever really measure Her father, who had romped and I’ll see you next week. OK?” up to her parents’ expectations. “Do played with her when she was a child, Betty, a good student, did as she you feel alienated or lonely?” And on became more emotionally distant as was told. Sheila White seemed to and on. These were the symptoms of she matured, but he still gave her know what she was doing, and she had someone who had been sexually everything money could buy. A good such a soothing manner. That night, abused. student, Betty was somewhat awkward Betty began to read The Courage to By the time she came for her sec- socially, but she found herself in high Heal. “Forgetting is one of the most ond appointment, Betty had read not school theater productions, where she effective ways children deal with sex- only three chapters, but most of the could throw herself into different roles. ual abuse,” she read. “The human book. She looked horrible. She hadn’t Her freshman year of college, mind has tremendous powers of slept. She was completely torn up. Betty was desperately homesick. She repression. Many children are able to Could it be true? Could she have been was not used to being away from the forget about the abuse, even as it is abused as a child? Who could have safety and security of her family. She happening to them.” done it? The Courage to Heal had had dated only one boy in high school, Betty threw the book away from example after example of fathers abus- and she had never gone beyond kissing her, to the other side of the bed. She ing their daughters. But it just couldn’t good night. Betty went to a fraternity couldn’t breathe. Then she found her- have been her father. Maybe her Uncle party where she drank too much, and self hyperventilating, taking great John, her mother’s brother? He used to her date took advantage of the situa- gulps of air and crying aloud. No! This visit all the time. Maybe it was him. tion to force her into sexual inter- book couldn’t be meant for her! She Betty poured out her fears and sus- course. Horrified and angry at what had never been sexually abused as a picions to Sheila, but her counselor had happened to her, but too embar- child. Never. But — why would Sheila remained noncommittal. “Yes, it could rassed to tell her parents, Betty went to have given her the book if she wasn’t? have been your uncle. That’s quite pos- see Sheila White, a college counselor. Hesitantly, fearfully, Betty picked sible. We just don’t know. As you are Sheila was extremely sympathetic up the book again. “You may think you feeling safer in therapy, your repressed and explained that Betty had been don’t have memories,” she read, “but memories may begin to come back. date-raped. Rather than concentrating often as you begin to talk about what For the moment, though, we just have on her current stress, however, the you do remember, there emerges a to live with uncertainty. I want you to counselor began to ask her detailed constellation of feelings, reactions, and join a local group I know about for questions about her parents, particular- recollections that add up.” Then she incest survivors. Even if you’re not ly about her feelings towards her read a warning from the authors that sure about your memories, it is a good father. “Your reactions to this date- reading the book could be extremely idea, and stories in the group may trig- rape incident were so strong,” Sheila upsetting. I’ll say, Betty thought. “If ger something for you. Besides, you said, “that I think we have to look into you breeze through these chapters,” will feel validated and safe there. your childhood for clues. I think there she read, “you probably aren’t feeling When I feel that you are ready to han-

10 FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 dle it, when it’s appropriate, we might Sheila said. Betty was silent. Her afford to pay her regular fee. “You’ve try guided imagery.” Sheila explained breathing stopped. She gripped the gone through so much, and you’ve that this was a relaxation technique edges of her chair. “No, no, NO!” she been so brave,” Sheila told her. “I can’t that gave access to the subconscious. screamed suddenly. “Leave me alone! abandon you now, as your family has. Betty joined the incest survivors Stop!” Her entire body contorted. You have had enough trauma in your group. The horrifying stories didn’t Alarmed, Sheila quickly ended the life.” “trigger” specific memories for her, guided imagery session, taking Betty Fortunately, this story has a some- but they certainly upset her enormous- back to the safe place at the lake, and what happy coda, though the real end- ly, and that must indicate something. then bringing her back to the present. ing has yet to occur. After five years, She went to the bookstore and bought “Oh, my God,” Betty sobbed. “Oh, my both Betty and her counselor finally other books. Secret Survivors, by E. God.” And she cried and cried. Sheila burned out on her therapy. “I know that Sue Blume. Repressed Memories, by held and rocked her, soothingly brush- I’m an incest survivor,” Betty wrote in Renee Fredrickson. They all said the ing her hair out of her face. “It’s all her diary, “and my family betrayed my same thing. She fit most of the incest right, it’s going to be all right,” she trust. They stole my childhood. But I survivor checklists. said. “I know it hurts. But this had to can’t go on like this. It’s just too hard. During the next few sessions, be. You had to face it.” I feel like a walking, open, raw wound Sheila continued to explore Betty’s Now Betty knew. It was her father. all the time. I need a break.” She feelings about her father. Yes, she She was, indeed, an incest survivor. decided to drop out of her incest sur- remembered now being afraid of him Over the next few months, she solidi- vivor group and go back to college. as a child. It had been exciting to play fied and rehearsed the memories and She needed money from her family to horsy with him, and to have him tickle added many more. Some came through do so. Besides, even if she still her, but he had gone too far. There was guided imagery, but she also journaled believed in her memories, she missed something else there. And at night, about her dreams. The memories her parents and her brothers and sis- why had he always insisted on telling became more concrete, vivid, and vio- ters. Fearfully, she called her mother. her bedtimes stories alone? Why was- lent. It turned out that she had been “Mom, I’m not taking anything back, n’t her mother there? Why didn’t her abused from the time she was three and I don’t want to see Dad, but could mother ever tell her stories? And why until she was fourteen years old, not we meet for lunch?” Her mother had her father suddenly frozen up only by her father, but her uncle and agreed. when she became a teenager? What grandfather. And her mother had Today, Betty has graduated from was that about? known and done nothing. college, and she is seeking a career in Finally, on her fifth visit to Sheila, After spending several counseling public relations. She regularly visits Betty asked if she could try guided sessions working on drafts of a letter to her family, including her father, but imagery. She knew something about it her parents, Betty finally mailed it. She she has not taken back her allegations. now from reading Renee Fredrickson’s told her father that she now remem- She refuses to talk about them and description, and she simply had to bered all of the horrors she had been simply acts as if nothing ever hap- know the truth. Sheila agreed, and forced to endure in her childhood. She pened. Though there is a great deal of Betty closed her eyes. Sheila’s sooth- was now trying to heal. She told him unspoken tension, her parents have ing voice instructed her to create her that unless he confessed and sought decided that time must pass before own “safe place,” a peaceful scene. therapy for himself, she could no Betty will be able to talk about her Betty chose a beautiful lake in the longer feel safe in his presence. And “memories.” Fortunately, they have summertime, with a soft breeze blow- unless her mother admitted that she educated themselves on the issue and ing. She described it aloud, in a soft, had stood by and done nothing, she, have let Betty know that when she is distant, sleepy voice. “Now, I want you too, would be cut out of Betty’s life. ready, they have a reading list for her. to picture a road leading away from the Betty’s parents called. They So far, she refuses to deal with the lake,” Sheila said. Leading her down denied the allegations and begged her issue at all. She knows that there is a the road, Sheila took her back to the to come home to talk it all over. She great deal of controversy surrounding house where she lived as a three-year- refused. Shortly afterwards, Betty recovered memories, but she can’t old. She went up the steps and through dropped out of college. She secured a bring herself to admit that she could the front door, then up the stairs to the job as a secretary, though her life was have been so wrong. And so she sim- bedroom. . . . in such an upheaval, she found it diffi- ply avoids talking about it or dealing “Now what do you see? What do cult to concentrate. Sheila continued to with it. She tries not to think about it. you feel? Who’s there with you?” see her, even though Betty could not

FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 11 handle the sad details of the accident agreed. for the rest of the family. On the day we gathered for the ser- You can imagine the emotional vice, I asked her to come to the micro- double whammy on hearing from our phone to read her passage. When she Recommended Reading daughter the following morning. She reached the podium, she gave me a hug I am still excited about the won- was terribly upset, of course, about the and said, “Hi, Dad.” And later in the derful article in the March 11 issue of death of her aunt and uncle. She said service, at the time for reflections, she the New York Review of Books by Fred that she had wanted to call for the past came forward to the microphone again Crews. I have been reading the article 2 years, but she was afraid that we and she contributed enthusiastic mem- very slowly so that I can try to get would hang up. She said that she ories—as did her daughter, our grand- every point being made. I just finished wouldn’t blame us if we did. daughter. Even at the reception, my reading the section about PTSD and We have since visited her and her accusing daughter was not only there how that “ailment” is used as a kind of three children. Actually, we have seen physically but she actively participat- garbage pail for all sorts of pseudo-ill- the children each summer for the past ed. nesses such as recovered memories 6 or 7 years because their father Our many friends “in the know” and MPD. brought them to our summer cottage. were as touched by this miracle as I That article is a real crash course We missed 5 years of their lives, but was, I’m sure. I have no predictions on “pop psychology” and the struggle they did not forget us and we have a about what may happen beyond today, to bring “reason” back to reality. The good relationship with them. but I wanted to share this remarkable article seems to indicate that a “war” is This past Christmas there were event with you. going on between two sides. At this gifts and phone calls all around. We all A dad point in time it seems that “our side” seemed to be able to almost pick up is doing the challenging and the other where we left off without much diffi- Always Worry side is taking the defense. It seems as culty. We have not discussed the past Our daughter has been back for though there is much more skepticism 12 years and do not intend to. I think some time. She has even told us that in the general public now than a we all prefer it that way. she doesn’t know why she ever decade ago. Thanks to FMSF, we feel that we thought that she had been abused. We I know I will want to re-read it a have an understanding of what went are very glad that she is back, but we few times more and that I will also wrong. We were educated by many always worry that it will happen again. need to look up some words in the dic- wonderful people at the various con- A mom and dad tionary, but it is a very exciting piece ferences and meetings. We will be eter- of writing and I recommend it to all nally grateful for the wonderful sup- Patience Worked FMSF Newsletter readers. port we received from the Foundation Amom and the network of other accused per- We have some good news. Our Crews, F. (2004, March 11). The trauma trap. sons and our relatives and friends. son, who has had no contact with us New York Review of Books 51 (4), pp. 37-40. for many years, called to apologize for A very happy mom treating us the way he has for so long. Picked Up Where We Left Off A Miracle He did not recant his accusations, but his apology was a great step in the Our daughter called us this past My wife died in January of this right direction for uniting our families September after no communication for year. One of our daughters, the only again. 12 years. I really believed that this person in the entire family who had Having patience and waiting for would never happen, but no one could remained in touch with our accusing him to realize on his own that we are have foretold the sequence of events. daughter over the past decade, called not the ogres he has made us out to be The event that brought about con- her that night to let her know. has been the only course we could take tact was the unfortunate death of my My wife had pre-planned the con- and we are continuing to take. Now, husband’s brother and his wife. They tents of her memorial service—what without any pressure from us, recent were flying across Canada in their own we call a “Thanksgiving celebration of events in his own life have made a plane to visit us when they crashed in a life.” The next day, I called our accus- change, if only a small one, in his atti- dense forest area. The date of the acci- ing daughter and asked if she would tude toward us. It is a start. dent was 9/11, but even more unlikely, like to read one of the scriptures at the the crash site was very close to our Thankful parents service since her brother and sister son’s summer camp, so he was able to would be reading the others. She

12 FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 Victims of Memory: Sex Abuse Web Sites of Interest Legal Web Sites of Interest Accusations and Shattered Lives comp.uark.edu/~lampinen/read.html •www.caseassist.com by Mark Pendergrast. The Lampinen Lab False Memory Reading Group, • www.findlaw.com Upper Access Books. University of Arkansas • www.legalengine.com • www.accused.com “An impressive display of www.exploratorium.edu/memory/ The Exploratorium Memory Exhibit • www.abuse-excuse.com scholarship...a comprehensive treat- www.ctnow.com/memory ment of the recovered-memories Hartford Courant memory series controversy.... Pendergrast offers a www.tmdArchives.org broader portrayal of the social and The Memory Debate Archives New Web Site of Interest cultural contexts of the recovered- www.francefms.com Is Theophostic Ministry bibli- memories phenomenon [than other French language website cal? Is it safe? What are theologians books on the subject]. His treatment www.StopBadTherapy.com and Christian apologists saying is also distinguished by some wel- Contains phone numbers of professional about this controversial Christian come historical perspective.... regulatory boards in all 50 states therapy? Pendergrast demonstrates a laudable www.IllinoisFMS.org Visit this site to read a free e- ability to lay out all sides of the Illinois-Wisconsin FMS Society book (in PDF and HTML): “Lying argument.... [He] renders a sympa- www.ltech.net/OHIOarmhp Ohio Group Spirits: A Christian Journalist’s thetic portrayal of recovery thera- www.afma.asn.au Report on Theophostic Ministry.” pists as well-intentioned but misin- Australian False Memory Association This in-depth, investigative report is formed players in a drama that has www.bfms.org.uk written by Jan Fletcher, a Christian veered out of control.” British False Memory Society journalist from Campbellsville, KY., Daniel L. Schacter, www.geocities.com/retractor home of Theophostic Ministry. Scientific American This site is run by Laura Pasley (retractor) To order: 800-310-8320 or www.geocities.com/therapyletters http://www.undergroundbride.com/l www.upperaccess.com/books.htm This site is run by Deb David (retractor) yingspirits.html #226v2 www.sirs.com/uptonbooks/index.htm Upton Books The Rutherford Family Speaks to www.angelfire.com/tx/recoveredmemories/ FMS Families Locate books aboutFMS New web site of interest Recovered Memory Bookstore The video made by the www.religioustolerance.org/sra.htm http://home.wanadoo.nl/traumaver- Rutherford family is the most pop- Information about sterking ular video of FMSF families. It cov- www.angryparents.net This English language website has ers the complete story from accusa- Parents Against Cruel Therapy been established by a retractor in the tion, to retraction and reconciliation. www.geocities.com/newcosanz Netherlands. Family members describe the things New Zealand FMS Group they did to cope and to help reunite. www.werkgroepwfh.nl Netherlands FMS Group Of particular interest are Beth Remembering Trauma Rutherford’s comments about what www.falseallegation.org by Richard McNally her family did that helped her to National Child Abuse Harvard University Press Defense & Resource Center retract and return. The most comprehensive review of Available in DVD format only: www.nasw.org/users/markp research about trauma and memory To order send request to Excerpts from Victims of Memory Highly recommended FMSF Video, 1955 Locust St. http://www.rickross.com/groups/fsm.html Philadelphia, PA 19103 Ross Institute $10.00 per DVD; Canada add $4.00; www.hopkinsmedicine.org/jhhpsychiatry/ other countries add $10.00 perspec1.htm Science and Pseudoscience in Make checks payable to FMS Perspectives for Psychiatry Clinical Psychology by Paul McHugh S. O. Lilienfeld, S.J. Lynn and www.enigma.se/info/FFI.htm SNOWBIRDS J.M. Lohr (eds.) FMS in Scandanavia - Janet Hagbom New York: Guilford Press (2003) Please send the FMSF your change www.ncrj.org/ Highly recommended of address. National Center for Reason & Justice

FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 13 KENTUCKY Jim & Jo 610-783-0396 Louisville- Last Sun. (MO) @ 2pm TENNESSEE Bob 502-367-1838 Nashville MAINE Kate 615-665-1160 CONTACTS & MEETINGS - UNITED STATES Rumford - TEXAS Houston ALABAMA Carolyn 207-364-8891 Portland - 4th Sun. (MO) Jo or Beverly 713-464-8970 See Georgia El Paso ALASKA Wally & Bobby 207-878-9812 MASSACHUSETTS/NEW ENGLAND Mary Lou 915-591-0271 Kathleen 907-333-5248 UTAH ARIZONA Andover - 2nd Sun. (MO) @ 1pm Frank 978-263-9795 Keith 801-467-0669 Phoenix VERMONT Pat 480-396-9420 MICHIGAN Grand Rapids Area - 1st Mon. (MO) Mark 802-872-0847 ARKANSAS VIRGINIA Little Rock Bill & Marge 616-383-0382 Greater Detroit Area - Sue 703-273-2343 Al & Lela 870-363-4368 WASHINGTON CALIFORNIA Nancy 248-642-8077 Ann Arbor See Oregon Sacramento WISCONSIN Joanne & Gerald 916-933-3655 Martha 734-439-4055 MINNESOTA Katie & Leo 414-476-0285 or Jocelyn 530-873-0919 Susanne & John 608-427-3686 San Francisco & North Bay Terry & Collette 507-642-3630 Dan & Joan 651-631-2247 WYOMING Charles 415-984-6626 (am); Alan & Lorinda 307-322-4170 415-435-9618 (pm) MISSOURI San Francisco & South Bay Kansas City - Meeting as called CONTACTS & MEETINGS - INTERNATIONAL Eric 408-245-4493 Pat 785-738-4840 East Bay Area St. Louis Area - call for meeting time BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA Judy 925-952-4853 Karen 314-432-8789 Vancouver & Mainland Central Coast Springfield - Quarterly (Apr., Jul., Oct., Jan. Lloyd 250-741-8941 Carole 805-967-8058 - last Sat. of month) @12:30pm Victoria & Vancouver Island - Palm Desert Tom 417-753-4878 John 250-721-3219 Eileen and Jerry 909-659-9636 Roxie 417-781-2058 MANITOBA CANADA Central Orange County MONTANA Roma 204-275-5723 Chris & Alan 949-733-2925 Lee & Avone 406-443-3189 ONTARIO, CANADA Covina Area - NEW HAMPSHIRE London Floyd & Libby 626-330-2321 Mark 802-872-0847 Adriaan 519-471-6338 San Diego Area NEW JERSEY Ottawa Dee 760-439-4630 Sally 609-927-5343 (Southern) Eileen 613-836-3294 COLORADO Nancy 973-729-1433 (Northern) Warkworth Colorado Springs NEW MEXICO Ethel 705-924-2546 Doris 719-488-9738 Albuquerque - 2nd Sat. (BI-MO) @1 pm Burlington CONNECTICUT Southwest Room -Presbyterian Hospital Ken & Marina 905-637-6030 S. New England - Maggie 505-662-7521(after 6:30pm) or Waubaushene Earl 203-329-8365 or Sy 505-758-0726 Paula 705-543-0318 Paul 203-458-9173 NEW YORK QUEBEC, CANADA FLORIDA Manhattan St. André Est. Dade/Broward Michael 212-481-6655 Mavis 450-537-8187 Madeline 954-966-4FMS Westchester, Rockland, etc. AUSTRALIA Central Florida - Please call for mtg. time Barbara 914-761-3627 Evelyn [email protected] John & Nancy 352-750-5446 Upstate/Albany Area BELGIUM Sarasota Elaine 518-399-5749 [email protected] Francis & Sally 941-342-8310 NORTH CAROLINA ISRAEL Tampa Bay Area Susan 704-538-7202 FMS ASSOCIATION fax-972-2-625-9282 Bob & Janet 727-856-7091 OHIO NETHERLANDS GEORGIA Cleveland Task Force FMS of Werkgroep Fictieve Atlanta Bob & Carole 440-356-4544 Herinneringen Wallie & Jill 770-971-8917 OKLAHOMA Jan 31-184-413-085 ILLINOIS Oklahoma City NEW ZEALAND Chicago & Suburbs - 1st Sun. (MO) Dee 405-942-0531 or Colleen 09-416-7443 Eileen 847-985-7693 or Tulsa SWEDEN Liz & Roger 847-827-1056 Jim 918-582-7363 Ake Moller FAX 48-431-217-90 Peoria OREGON UNITED KINGDOM Bryant & Lynn 309-674-2767 Portland area The British False Memory Society INDIANA Kathy 503-655-1587 Madeline 44-1225 868-682 Indiana Assn. for Responsible Mental PENNSYLVANIA Health Practices Harrisburg Paul & Betty 717-691-7660 Pat 260-489-9987 Deadline for the JULY/AUGUST Pittsburgh Helen 574-753-2779 Newsletter is June 15. Meeting KANSAS Rick & Renee 412-563-5509 Montrose notices MUST be in writing and Wichita - Meeting as called John 570-278-2040 should be sent no later than two Pat 785-738-4840 Wayne (includes S. NJ) months before meeting.

14 FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 3 Copyright © 2004 by the FMS Foundation 1955 Locust Street Do you have access to e-mail? Send a message to Philadelphia, PA 19103-5766 [email protected] Phone: 215-940-1040 Fax: 215-940-1042 if you wish to receive electronic versions of this newsletter [email protected] www.FMSFonline.org and notices of radio and television broadcasts about FMS. All ISSN # 1069-0484 the message need say is “add to the FMS-News”. It would be Pamela Freyd, Ph.D., Executive Director useful, but not necessary, if you add your full name (all addresses and names will remain strictly confidential). FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board May 1, 2004 Aaron T. Beck, M.D., D.M.S., University of Pennsylvania, The False Memory Syndrome Foundation is a qualified 501(c)3 Philadelphia, PA; Terence W. Campbell, Ph.D., Clinical and Forensic corporation with its principal offices in Philadelphia and gov- Psychology, Sterling Heights, MI; Rosalind Cartwright, Ph.D., Rush erned by its Board of Directors. While it encourages participation Presbyterian St. Lukes Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Jean Chapman, by its members in its activities, it must be understood that the Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; Loren Chapman, Ph.D., Foundation has no affiliates and that no other organization or per- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; Frederick C. Crews, Ph.D., son is authorized to speak for the Foundation without the prior University of California, Berkeley, CA; Robyn M. Dawes, Ph.D., written approval of the Executive Director. All membership dues Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA; David F. Dinges, Ph.D., and contributions to the Foundation must be forwarded to the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Henry C. Ellis, Ph.D., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM; Fred H. Frankel, Foundation for its disposition. MBChB, DPM, Harvard University Medical School; George K. ______Ganaway, M.D., Emory University of Medicine, Atlanta, GA; Martin Gardner, Author, Hendersonville, NC; Rochel Gelman, Ph.D., Rutgers The FMSF Newsletter is published 6 times a year by the False University, New Brunswick, NJ; Henry Gleitman, Ph.D., University of Memory Syndrome Foundation. The newsletter is mailed to any- Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Lila Gleitman, Ph.D., University of one who contributes at least $30.00. It is also available at no cost Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Richard Green, M.D., J.D., Charing by email (see above) or on the FMSF website: Cross Hospital, London; David A. Halperin, M.D., (deceased) Mount www.FMSFonline.org Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY; Ernest Hilgard, Ph.D., (deceased) Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; John Hochman, M.D., UCLA Medical School, Los Angeles, CA; David S. Holmes, Ph.D., University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS; Philip S. Holzman, Ph.D., Your Contribution Will Help Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; Robert A. Karlin, Ph.D. , Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Harold Lief, M.D., University of PLEASE FILL OUT ALL INFORMATION PLEASE PRINT Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Elizabeth Loftus, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, CA; Susan L. McElroy, M.D., University of __Visa: Card # & exp. date:______Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; Paul McHugh, M.D., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Harold Merskey, D.M., University of __Discover: Card # & exp. date:______Western Ontario, London, Canada; Spencer Harris Morfit, Author, __Mastercard: # & exp. date:______Westford, MA; Ulric Neisser, Ph.D., Cornell University, Ithaca, NY; (Minimum credit card is $25) , Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, CA; Emily Carota Orne, B.A., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; __Check or Money Order: Payable to FMS Foundation in Martin Orne, M.D., Ph.D., (deceased) University of Pennsylvania, U.S. dollars Philadelphia, PA; Loren Pankratz, Ph.D., Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR; Campbell Perry, Ph.D., (deceased) Concordia Signature: ______University, Montreal, Canada; Michael A. Persinger, Ph.D., Laurentian University, Ontario, Canada; August T. Piper, Jr., M.D., Seattle, WA; Name: ______Harrison Pope, Jr., M.D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; James Randi, Author and Magician, Plantation, FL; Henry L. Roediger, III, Ph.D. ,Washington University, St. Louis, MO; Carolyn Address:______Saari, Ph.D., Loyola University, Chicago, IL; Theodore Sarbin, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Cruz, CA; Thomas A. Sebeok, Ph.D., State, ZIP (+4) ______(deceased) Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; Michael A. Simpson, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., M.R.C, D.O.M., Center for Psychosocial & Country: ______Traumatic Stress, Pretoria, South Africa; Margaret Singer, Ph.D., (deceased) University of California, Berkeley, CA; Ralph Slovenko, Phone: (______)______J.D., Ph.D., Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, MI; Donald Spence, Ph.D., Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Piscataway, NJ; Jeffrey Victor, Ph.D., Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY; Fax: (______)______Hollida Wakefield, M.A., Institute of Psychological Therapies, Northfield, MN; Charles A. Weaver, III, Ph.D. Baylor University, Waco, TX Thank you for your generosity.

FMS Foundation Newsletter May/June 2004 Vol. 13 No. 15